MLB Plus breaks down Yankees-Red Sox

After MLB.com introduced MLB Plus for Friday’s Yankees-Red Sox game, the data-driven online broadcast returned for an encore during Boston’s 8-0 victory on Saturday night at Fenway Park.

MLB Plus, which features Statcast™ and other advanced analysis, will be available as a companion to each MLB Network Showcase game this season. The next broadcast will be at 7 p.m. ET on May 6, when the Yankees and Red Sox lock horns again, this time in the Bronx.

Here is a look at some MLB Plus highlights from Saturday.

Porcello’s spin rate Red Sox starter Rick Porcello, who ultimately tossed seven scoreless innings, caught the Yankees’ Chase Headley looking at a called third strike in the top of the third inning. That prompted a discussion of Porcello’s pitching metrics.

The strike in question had a velocity of 92.5 mph, a perceived velocity of 91.3 mph and a spin rate of 2,485 rpm, according to Statcast™. As MLB.com stats analyst Mike Petriello explained, that type of pitch typically fares better with a lower spin rate, which causes the ball to sink more. On the other hand, the pitch may have fooled Headley, causing him to take it for strike three.

It also had more horizontal than vertical movement, which can be tough in its own right.

“We learned that from [Greg] Maddux. James Shields does it really, really well. Roy Halladay did it great,” said analyst and former big league outfielder Fernando Perez. “That’s a pitch … you …

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